All Eyes on Greenwich Ave: Intersection Upgrade Moves Forward, Stringing Holiday Lights

During a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, First Selectmen Fred Camillo shared several updates.

He said he was pleased P&Z approved a DPW project to upgrade the intersection of Elm Street and Greenwich Avenue.

The project is a pilot for the rest of Greenwich Avenue and a greater plan for Greenwich Avenue. The project features sidewalk “bumpouts” so pedestrians have a shorter distance to walk from one side of the road to the other. It also includes a raised road platform in the middle of the intersection which will be significant for handicapped access. The work will also include landscaping and trees, though it will result in a couple lost parking spaces. The pilot will start in the spring.

P&Z also approved the MI and approved the preliminary site plan for the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Next it will go before the Architectural Review Committee and finally return before P&Z for final site plan approval.

Camillo also he said he and Parks & Rec Director Joe Siciliano are revisiting the beach access policy.

“Nothing is getting closed, but we’re taking another look at it because we’re in a red zone and have had to turn lots of cars back,” he said, adding that recently a number of Greenwich residents had to be turned back from the beach at Tod’s Point.

“We’ll take another look at capacity levels as long as we’re in the code red,” he added.

As for the outdoor ice rink proposed by Sebastian Dostmann on behalf of the Greenwich Community Projects Fund, the same group behind the holiday lights on the Avenue.

Camillo said while the outdoor rink in Greenwich Common will not be erected Nov 27 through Jan 18 as proposed, it is not canceled, simply postponed.

“Right now it’s terrible timing with the red zone designation,” he said. “We’re still in contact with that donor, and in discussions on some pretty exciting things for the town.”

On the topic of holiday lights on the Avenue, Camillo said lights are being strung in the trees this week.

“They’ve  done the first block already,” he said. “It’s a nice pick me up.”

Camillo said kudos go to Mr. Dostmann and Alyssa Keleshian for their efforts in returning lights to the Avenue.

Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager

Camillo said local business people had created face masks bearing the Town seal and would be donating a portion of proceeds to the town, that could be put toward a trolley to bring people to Greenwich Avenue from Town Hall, or toward additional jersey barriers for outdoor dining.

Select person Oberlander suggested the town formalize a policy on licensing agreements.

“We should figure out how to license properly for all these items,” she said. “Let’s put together a comprehensive program of sorts so we can take advantage of people’s interest in supporting our town.”

First Selectman Fred Camillo invited a rescue puppy onto the Nov 19 Zoom meeting. He said, the dog, Rachael, is the last of a litter of four who still needs a home and is very affectionate.
Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Holiday lights going up in the trees along Greenwich Avenue. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager